Following a thrilling Daytona 500, the Joe Gibbs Racing team has incurred a significant penalty. Chase Briscoe, who started the race in pole position, was cited for a violation related to the spoiler on his car. The Associated Press reported, “Joe Gibbs Racing was docked 100 driver/owner points and 10 playoff points. The spoiler base is a single-source part that cannot be modified and was discovered in NASCAR’s inspection process.” They also noted, “JGR was fined $100,000 and crew chief James Small was suspended for four races. Briscoe now heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway with negative 67 points in the standings, dropping from 10th to 39th.”
This hefty penalty for a spoiler violation reflects a frustrating start for the Gibbs Racing camp, as what began as a promising NASCAR season quickly turned sour. While racing violations are not uncommon, this particular incident spotlights Briscoe’s struggles, putting him at a disadvantage despite his strong start. Per the AP, the Gibbs Racing team intends to appeal the ruling handed down by NASCAR, which is an expected step in this situation.
The NASCAR Cup Series will continue this weekend with the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
